Stark called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. She asked for approval of the Jan. 9, 2017; and Feb. 20, 2017, minutes. House moved; Schmiedt seconded; passed unanimously.

Stark reported that the online form for JACC scholarships was live for applications for a total of $1,500.

She said the hotel-liaison contract for the State Convention had been revised to specify that JACC directors would have a hand in final review of the hotel bill before submission for payment.

She told directors that the Fall 2017 journalism day at Chapman University in Orange would not happen, and that she would solicit potential JACC SoCal 2017 hosts.

Stark reported that the finance committee had reviewed the 2015-16 tax return, and she had signed it for submission before the extension deadline.

The JACC office was processing current State Convention fees and tracking the final payments for a handful of members’ dues and fall conference fees.

Stark asked Rashidi to clarify concern that the CSU chancellor’s office might have misstated CSU Fullerton’s policy of acceptance of community college journalism transfer credits. Rashidi indicated that the CSU called it a typographical error, and that CSU Fullerton did indeed accept the credits. Stark insisted that JACC should be a key monitor of such policies and processes.

With a week to go in the registration period, Stark asked convention co-chairs House and McGrath for the latest highlights of the convention program that could be used to promote attendee interest and information. House listed several speakers from various news media and associations, and noted that former JACC students were involved as presenters, judges or on-site staff.

McGrath reported that final event logistics would be completed soon, followed quickly by production of the online and digital programs. Stark encouraged directors to emphasize for all that the convention included presentations on relevant, forward-thinking skills and programs led by informed professionals.

Medina suggested Facebook Live-streaming the JACC awards to show non-attendees the value of attendance.

McGrath indicated that hotel obligations, such as contracted room nights and meeting-room amenities, were being monitored and adjusted as registrations continued. Stark said charter-bus services for events would be engaged as soon as programming was complete, with an eye to thrift.

McGrath said contest judging was proceeding well. She noted that more judges were offering honorable mentions in their decisions. McGrath also noted the arrival of a shipment of award plaques, obtained at a good rate but requiring assembly. She said the on-site team at State would handle assembly.

Medina signed off just after 5 p.m.

Student directors Solano and Payne reviewed their plans to promote and produce the election of new officers and agreed to share with other directors any student-specific plans for the State Convention.

Stark thanked Edquist for her service as JACC communications director. Both were updating the job description prior to recruiting a new director.

House thanked Stark for her years of board service and as president.

With no further business to discuss, Stark ended the meeting at 6 p.m.

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Journalism Association of Community Colleges assists and encourages the journalism departments of two-year colleges to exchange ideas and opinions, to develop and maintain effective curricula, to provide enriching educational experiences for members, to render mutual aid, and to develop and maintain a free student press. It is the philosophy of the Association to encourage equal student and faculty participation.